Currently, rehabilitated sites are compared to nearby natural “reference” sites to determine the success of the rehabilitation.

But there can be disagreement over what a reference site should look like or if a reference site no longer exists in nature.

This is especially true in the Hunter Valley, where European settlement, agriculture, and mining have dramatically changed the landscape, making the choice of reference sites all the more contentious.

A new research project by Dr Melanie Blanchette and Associate Professor Mark Lund from the Mine Water and Environment Research Centre in ECU’s School of Science aims to make identification of realistic, ecologically relevant targets for restoration easier, providing more certainty to stakeholders.

The researchers will use some of earth’s smallest creatures to inform the rehabilitation of rivers associated with mine sites.

Previous research projects by the team indicate that microbes, which include microscopic bacteria, could be far easier and cheaper to use in monitoring the health of rivers than the larger animals currently used, such as aquatic insects).

The new project will start by monitoring the communities of tiny microbes living in rivers of the Hunter Valley.

These complex aquatic systems include sections of river which have been diverted for mining operations with government approval.

The work undertaken by the ECU scientists will enhance rehabilitation efforts within the diverted sections of the river already underway by industry, and increase understanding of the overall river system.

Dr Melanie Blanchette said that moving away from reference sites as ecological targets and using cutting-edge genomic technology could create practical and cost-effective outcomes for rehabilitating mined landscapes.

“We aim to develop and apply a technique for rehabilitation monitoring that creates a deeper scientific understanding of local rivers,” she said.

“In light of a changing climate and increasing human impact, it is imperative that we consider the circumstances of each river individually, with decisions ultimately led by data.

“Our project is a step forward in mine rehabilitation that is both ecologically meaningful and practical.”

The project has been funded by a $481,000 Australian Competitive Grant from the Australian Coal Association Research Program ACARP, with support from Glencore and Yancoal.